Landlord-Tenant Dispute Over Fire Damage Results in a Shooting

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A 30-year-old man will remain behind bars as he awaits trial for allegedly shooting at his landlord during an argument over damaged property.

Marcus Dupree Hill appeared in Baltimore City Circuit Court to petition the District Court’s decision to hold the defendant without bail. In addition to first and second-degree assault, Hill is also facing reckless endangerment and four weapons charges, including discharging a firearm in the city.

Attorney Peter Crawford represented Hill during the Aug. 19 hearing before Judge LaZette C. Ringgold-Kirksey.

Crawford advocated for his client’s release on his own recognizance or home detention, arguing that Hill and the victim were at adds prior to the shooting. According to charging documents, the victim took legal action earlier this year to evict the defendant for failing to pay rent. The defense attorney explained that tensions escalated on March 30 when Hill allegedly confronted the victim outside the property on the 2400 block of Wilkens Avenue.

On Tuesday, the defense attorney told the judge that Hill believed his landlord was using this case as a means to evict him.

The prosecutor countered that there were no changes in circumstances warranting a change in the defendant’s bail status. Hill has a history of violating a protective order and fleeing and eluding in the past and violated his probation in Pennsylvania that expires later this year, the prosecutor said.

The details of Hill’s previous cases were not discussed, but counsel noted Hill has no prior convictions.

Judge Ringgold-Kirksey agreed with the prosecution, denying any change in Hill’s bail status. The defendant is set to appear in reception court on Oct. 9.

Court documents state that the victim went to the area around 3:30 a.m. for a reported fire. The victim was waiting for BGE to arrive and disable illegal electrical wiring that caused the fire when Hill arrived.

The defendant asked the victim if he was going to pay for his damaged property, Crawford said. However, court documents state that Hill then attempted to get the victim to fight. As the victim walked away, Hill pulled up his hood and called out the victim’s name. The victim turned around and saw the defendant allegedly pointing a handgun at him.

Hill allegedly continued to threaten the victim, who crossed the street to go to his truck and call police. While on the phone with 911, Hill came from a nearby alley and reportedly fired the gun four times.

The prosecutor told Judge Ringgold-Kirksey that the 911 dispatcher heard the gunfire. No one was injured in the shooting; however, the victim told police that Hill threatened to burn down his home and kill him and his wife.

Earlier in the proceeding, Crawford noted that police found evidence that a gun was fired, but that no gun was found at the crime scene.